WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – The woman who took a flight back to New Zealand had to avoid any physical contact with the others for 14 days while entering the mandatory quarantine. The man who worked at the quarantine hotel was to be the last line of defense.
But the two began to pass notes, including one written on the back of a face mask. Then she ordered a bottle of wine, which she delivered to her room. When he did not return 20 minutes later, a security manager sent to investigate found the pair together in what authorities describe as an inappropriate meeting, one in which the physical distance was not maintained.
The incident earlier this month, which came to light on Friday, highlighted a very human weakness in coronavirus removal procedures in New Zealand, a country that has eliminated the community spread of the virus. It is similar to the declines in Australia that could have contributed to a major outbreak last year in Melbourne.
“We are dealing with human beings,” said COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins. “We ask everyone to respect the standards we have implemented. I cannot control the actions of every individual. ”
Hipkins said the couple’s behavior was totally unacceptable and called for a thorough investigation.
Brigadier Jim Bliss, head of the isolation and quarantine department, said the worker was immediately sent home and told to isolate himself. He was later fired. Meanwhile, the returning passenger received a written warning from the police. Authorities breathed a sigh of relief after both returned negative tests on the coronavirus.
“The actions of the two people involved in this incident are incredibly irresponsible and extremely disappointing,” Bliss said. “There is absolutely no place for satisfaction.”
Bliss said the actions of the staff at the Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland do not reflect the 4,000 people who work in the quarantine hotels who “put themselves altruistically between us and this virus” every day. He said an investigation is underway to consider whether additional security measures are needed.
The identities of the two people involved were not disclosed by the authorities.
New Zealand’s successful response has killed just 25 people in the virus in a nation of 5 million. The only new cases are those coming from returning trips, of which 100,000 have flown in the last year. Authorities and people across the country remain very alert to any border violations.